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San Marino: Third phase of castings continues! | A big name to sing a song composed by AI!

From January 12th, the third phase of the auditions of Una Voce per San Marino, the national final with which the state of San Marino will choose its participation for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, has officially started!

As we previously informed you, the semi-finals will take place in February, while on February 24, the Grand Final will take place at Teatro Nuovo.

Already almost 100 artists have presented themselves in front of the jury, with auditions continuing from 18 to 20 January.

Mimmo Paganelli, member of the jury states:

“Their emotion is ours. The artists are bringing good material and quality, even better than last year”

You can watch the interviews of some artists HERE.

As was previously announced, SMRTV is working with the company  Casperaki aiming to create an entry for Una Voce Per San Marino 2024 which will be made with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

So a while ago, public television announced that this year there will be many changes in the national final, the biggest of which is that a big name, selected to compete directly in the final, is going to perform a song written by artificial intelligence!

Piqued Jacks, were the previous winners of UVPSM, representing the country in Eurovision 2023, ending up in last place of the second semi-final:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Sammarinese participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

San Marino: The Grand Final of “Una Voce per San Marino” will take place on March 2!

San Marino has confirmed since August that “Una Voce per San Marino” will remain as the country’s selection format for Eurovision 2024.

The return of “Una Voce per San Marino” marks the fourth time in San Marino’s Eurovision history that a national selection is being used and the third time that this specific format is chosen.

A press release by the Sanmarinese national broadcaster gave us more details about the 2024 national selection.

The selection of UVPSM 2024 participants

The 2024 edition will include both “emerging” and “big” artists, as in 2022.

  • The applications for the “emerging artists” category have now opened and will remain open until the 10th of January 2024. Those who are interested can register on the “Una Voce per San Marino” registration website. The “Academy and Casting” phase will start on November 10th and will finish ten days after the deadline, on January 20. The casting sessions can be held online for those not living near Italy. After this procedure, 80 artists will proceed to the semifinals.
  • Regarding the “big artists” category, invitations will be sent by the Sanmarinese broadcaster.

In the Grand Final, 16 participants will compete, 8 from each category. Both “big” and “emerging” artists will be able to sing only one of their songs in the Grand Final.

There are no other specific rules regarding the submitted acts. There is a freedom of language, music style and territoriality.

The Grand Final of Una Voce per San Marino is scheduled for March 2 2024. It will be held in Teatro Nuovo di Dogana, the same venue that hosted the selection in 2022 and 2023. The winner will be decided by a qualified jury.

Despite this marathon session of a national selection, Piqued Jacks, UVPSM 2023 winners, did not manage to qualify to the Grand Final, finishing dead least with nul points.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!

Source: RTV San Marino

Eurovision 2023: The Grand Final allocation for the Second Semi Final qualifiers!

The first semi-final has just finished, with the first ten finalists being:

Before the press conference that is currently taking place these ten countries chose the half in which they will appear in the Grand Final on Saturday.

This is the half each qualifier drew, from semi final 2:

🇦🇱 Albania will perform in the FIRST HALF of the Grand Final

🇨🇾 Cyprus will perform in the FIRST HALF of the Grand Final

🇪🇪 Estonia will perform in the FIRST HALF of the Grand Final

🇧🇪 Belgium will perform in the SECOND HALF of the Grand Final

🇦🇹 Austria will perform in the FIRST HALF of the Grand Final

🇱🇹 Lithuania will perform in the SECOND HALF of the Grand Final

🇵🇱 Poland will perform in the FIRST HALF of the Grand Final

🇦🇺 Australia will perform in the SECOND HALF of the Grand Final

🇦🇲 Armenia will perform in the SECOND HALF of the Grand Final

🇸🇮 Slovenia will perform in the SECOND HALF of the Grand Final


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Eurovision 2023: Watch the exclusive rehearsal footage from the remaining Semi Final 2 acts’ second rehearsals!

The preparations on Liverpool for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest are on fire and it’s now a wrap for the 6th day of the technical rehearsals. After their first technical rehearsals, the representatives of the 11 remaining acts participating in the 2nd Semifinal on May 11, took the stage of the M&S Bank Arena for their second rehearsals.

About the first 5 countries from SemiFinal 2 that had their second rehearsals yesterday:

The second rehearsals gave the opportunity to the delegations to fix any mistakes spotted on the first rehearsals and help the artists feel more safe and familiar with the Eurovision big stage.

Because accredited journalists are not allowed to watch both the first and second rehearsals this year, we have very little information about what this year’s artists have prepared for the Eurovision stage. EBU has just uploaded through the official Eurovision channel in YouTube a recap of today’s rehearsals. More specifically, we will have the chance to watch exclusive TV footage of today’s rehearsals.

The countries that had their second rehearsals today were the following:

  1. Cyprus
  2. Iceland
  3. Greece
  4. Poland
  5. Slovenia
  6. Georgia
  7. San Marino
  8. Austria
  9. Albania
  10. Lithuania
  11. Australia

You can watch the recap of today’s rehearsals below:


Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all news about Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: The Third Day’s rehearsal schedule!

The big moment for all Eurofans has arrived. The wait has come to an end, as we are now in the most important days before the live shows. Rehearsals officially begun yesterday for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

The rehearsals are divided into two phases; the first phase will last three days, from Sunday 30/04 until Tuesday 02/05 and will include the first rehearsals of all the countries taking part in the two semi-finals of the competition. The second phase will last from Wednesday 03/05 until Saturday 06/05 and includes the second rehearsals of the countries of the two semi-finals as well as the rehearsals of the countries competing directly in the Final, namely the Big 5 and last year’s winner Ukraine.

Last year’s changes in the way rehearsals are covered continue this year, as the Press Center opens on Monday after the first and second rehearsals, which means that the information we will have for the first week of the competition will come exclusively from the material to be provided by the EBU to the accredited journalists.

Program

The last eleven countries from the second semi-final will make their first appearance on stage at the M&S Bank Arena. These countries are:

  • Estonia 11.30 – 12.00
  • Iceland 12.10 – 12.40
  • Greece 12.50 – 13.20
  • Poland 13.30 – 14.00
  • Slovenia 15.10 – 15.40
  • Georgia 15.50 – 16.20
  • San Marino 16.30 – 17.00
  • Austria 17.10 – 17.40
  • Albania 17.50 – 18.20
  • Lithuania 18.30 – 19.00
  • Australia 19.10 – 19.40

For everything new regarding these rehearsals, you will instantly be informed by Eurovisionfun!

From Monday 8/5, the press center opens normally for accredited journalists, who will have the opportunity to watch the general rehearsals before the live shows as was the case in previous years.

Eurovisionfun will of course be there to inform you about everything that happens at the M&S Bank Arena!


Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not lose a thing of what’s happening in Liverpool:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

The Netherlands: All the performances of “Eurovision in Concert 2023”!

Eurovision in Concert 2023 took place in AFAS Live in Amsterdam, last night, with 29 of this year’s entrants performing live.

The concert was hosted by Cornald Maas and Hila Noorzai. Cornald has been the Dutch Eurovision commentator since 2006. Hila is a radio DJ and member of the committee that selected this year’s Dutch representatives (Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper). She also hosted the Eurovision 2021 press conference in Rotterdam.

The artists that performed last night were the following:

Albania – Albina & Kelmendi Familija

Balcan sounds and consistent vocals is what we got from Albina and the Kelmendi Family! Might be the suprise entry of this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UKBP_v3BPY

Armenia – Brunette

Brunette singing about her Future Lover with ethereal vocals and the crowds singing along. Beautiful performance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KspC8I7MXl0

Australia – Voyager

Voyager give what they promise! Rock and electronic sounds, so 2025! What is concerning though, is that even though their song is supposed to be very uplifting, the crowd was too static. Also falsetto was not always on point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx73Q68eWwU

Austria – Teya & Salena

That’s not a song where you can show off some unreal vocals, however it’s the song that will definitely make you dance! And Teya & Salena deliver, solid vocals and much much fun! One of my personal favourites and if you ask me, a finalist and highly likely a Top5 entry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdh6cFfcfKo

Azerbaijan – TuralTuranX

TuralTuranX “tell us more” about their entry this year, however I’m still not getting it. A song that I could listen to the radio without complaining, but wouldn’t catch my eye/ear at the contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XiT0RvJPn0

Belgium – Gustaph

The queerest entry of the year! His vocals are as good as the studio version! He is a fun guy! This is the kind of entries that I would like to qualify, even though that’s not the style of songs that I normally listen to!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgx-CPHRx5A

Czechia – Vesna

I can only comment on their vocals. They were okay. However, this entry started off as a potential winner, but I’m not getting that vibe, at least not yet. But hey! It’s just a party performance! Let’s wait for their contest rehearsals!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CocNlkxpxdg

Denmark – Reiley

Danish heart-throb Reiley, had his best performance to date. Some minor vocal issues, but overall a nice performance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuT–QEIyag

Estonia – Alika

Nice song and great vocals! But for me, it’s no more than just that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Estonia got disqualified.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UKYFFFWjgU

Finland – Käärijä

Normally, that’s a song that I can’t stand listening to for more than 10 seconds. Strangely, combined to his eccentric looks and his super nice personality, I could now handle listening to his entire Amsterdam performance! Personal opinion aside, I can totally see why this is a contender for the win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0n_sNDiAo

France – La Zarra

Unfortunately, after a statement in her personal Twitter account, La Zarra announced that she has to cancel her appearance in Amsterdam, due to personal circumstances.

Germany – Lord of the Lost

I can’t be objective, I don’t like this style of music. I can only be objective about their vocal abilities, which are on point I must admit!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmPSRnNpd0A

Iceland – Diljá

That’s a song that I would add to my daily playlist, however, this song lacks something that I still don’t know what it is! Diljá’s voice is great admitedly!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjjsWy1R93k

Ireland – Wild Youth

Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” x “Ritmo De La Noche” x “We Are One” would be a great mashup! I low-key like this song and I loved their Amsterdam performance. But something tells me that they will struggle to qualify this year. Let’s see what happens!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NY6OODALZU

Latvia – Sudden Lights

Another performance that sounds exactly like the recorded version of their song! I didn’t see the love from the AFAS Live crowd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1qFm5Wtkgg

Lithuania – Monika Linkytė

Monika definitely sounds even better than the studio version of the song. She will try to claim a high placement in the rankings of the jury voting in this year’s contest! In the beginning I didn’t quite like “Stay“, I can now say that I love her vocals on this track!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSO-3m9J1js

Malta – The Busker

They were not bad, not at all sounding bad live, but were they as good as it needs to be to qualify to the final show of Eurovision Song Contest? Song-wise I think not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIswu3YrrfU

Moldova – Pasha Parfeni

Despite the technical issues with his Madrid performance, Pasha, the Moldovan 2012 representative and returning artist of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, managed to pull off his performance. Great vocals and energy overall!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7LsW-dA_0U

Netherlands – Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper

It’s really sad to see my 2nd place to perform questionably in their own country’s party concert. Their vocals sound a bit off at times and as a duo their vocals don’t seem to connect on their live performance. I hope they fix it till their semi-final, I don’t want to see them become the shocking non-qualifier of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toUGDak3o1Y

Norway – Alessandra

Very much improved vocally, Alessandra, gets carried away by the strength of her song and her fans are absolutely loving it! The whistle note was so-so. She will improve, I am sure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F97_a4eMpK0

Romania – Theodor Andrei

Theodor has a nice voice, but this song is totally “Off and On” so one would either like it or not. I don’t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyin57pzpcc

San Marino – Piqued Jacks

Their are very very good vocally. Their lead vocalist sounds like Klaus Meine, frontman of Scorpions band. Their song is not at all bad after all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqne0dGawhQ

Slovenia – Joker Out

I simply love this band and this song! One of my favourites! I love how they sound in each and every appearance they make before the contest. I hope they continue delivering up until the Eurovision finals!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7brJYVqqgZc

Spain – Blanca Paloma

A blend of flamenco and modern sounds, bringing Spanish tradition to 2023. Her vocals are absolutely amazing. I just don’t get the hype around this entry, it is a great entry for Spain, but definitely not a top 3 entry as many fans are claiming over at social media!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ycUxy4l00M

Sweden – Loreen

Her vocals are out of this world! Another amazing performance of the former Eurovision 2012 winner and potential 2023 winner! And for those that claim that she sings with the assistance of an Auto-Tune device, I can assure you that even when she rehearsed in the corridors of Malmö Arena or Friends Arena during the Melodifestivalen season, she sounded exactly the same, or even better than the studio version! My winner for sure!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlBuzqzjnIk

Switzerland – Remo Forrer

I absolutely love his Amsterdam (and every single one of his) live performance! I can’t wait to see this song complete and staged and Remo joined by his four dancers! I think he will qualify! But let’s wait and see!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGsRTZ5sPcA

Ukraine – TVORCHI

I love TVORCHI and their song and their Amsterdam performance. They sounded really really good, I am a fan of their style of music, but I don’t see this entry winning. Let’s see another country winning this year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOFkzKOkc_k

United Kingdom – Mae Muller

Come on, she doesn’t sound as atrocious as most of the Twitter people claim. And at least she enjoys it and the crowd loves her! I hope she will do much better in Liverpool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EMepsNxZUU

 

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news about the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool!

Photo: EurovisionInConcert

Netherlands: Eurovision in Concert 2023 takes place tonight in Amsterdam!

Eurovision in Concert 2023 takes place in The Netherlands tonight , with 29 of this year’s entrants performing live.

The concert will be hosted by Cornald Maas and Hila Noorzai. Cornald has been the Dutch Eurovision commentator since 2006. Hila is a radio DJ and member of the committee that selected this year’s Dutch representatives (Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper). She also hosted the Eurovision 2021 press conference in Rotterdam.

The full line-up is as follows:

  1. Albania – Albina & Kelmendi Familija
  2. Armenia – Brunette
  3. Australia – Voyager
  4. Austria – Teya & Salena
  5. Azerbaijan – TuralTuranX
  6. Belgium – Gustaph
  7. Czechia – Vesna
  8. Denmark – Reiley
  9. Estonia – Alika
  10. Finland – Käärijä
  11. France – La Zarra
  12. Germany – Lord of the Lost
  13. Iceland – Diljá
  14. Ireland – Wild Youth
  15. Latvia – Sudden Lights
  16. Lithuania – Monika Linkytė
  17. Malta – The Busker
  18. Moldova – Pasha Parfeni
  19. The Netherlands – Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper
  20. Norway – Alessandra
  21. Romania – Theodor Andrei
  22. San Marino – Piqued Jacks
  23. Slovenia – Joker Out
  24. Spain – Blanca Paloma
  25. Sweden – Loreen
  26. Switzerland – Remo Forrer
  27. Ukraine – TVORCHI
  28. United Kingdom – Mae Muller

In addition, Katrina Leskanich (Eurovision 1997, UK, winner, “Love Shine a Light“) will  appear as a special guest.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news about the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool!

San Marino: Public Broadcaster RTV takes issue against the negativity surrounding Piqued Jacks’ BCN performance

A rather unfortunate event that occurred during the Barcelona Eurovision Party in Spain has caused enormous frustration to the Sammarinese delegation.Throughout the course of this year’s Sammarinese entrants performance,that took place in the Saint Jordi Club on March 25,various Eurovision fans would be heard shouting Ronela Hajati’s (Albania 2022) name,who competed against Piqued Jacks’ in San Marino’s selection process Una Voce per San Marino,but eventually lost to them and did not earn the right to represent the country in this year’s song contest.

Nevertheless,all those derogatory comments were not left unnoticed by the Sammarinese Public Broadcaster RTV,who were quick to respond with the following statement,with Piqued Jacks reacting on their behalf as well:

Shortly afterwards,RTV released the following statement,clarifying that they feel no resentment towards the Spanish audience,but instead,they are more than willing to continue setting up performances in the country:

https://twitter.com/eurovisionsmrtv/status/1640392783809724420?cxt=HHwWiIC-sfai7MMtAAAA

You can have a look at the Piqued Jacks’ performance in Barcelona here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbN3ilUIBWI&embeds_euri=https%3A%2F%2Feurovisionfun.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title

San Marino is competing in the second semi-final of this year’s contest,on May 11.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for more things concerning Eurovision!

San Marino: Semi finalists to be announced on February 20!

San Marino RTV will announce the names of the Semi-finalists on February 20.  The announcement will take place in a press conference.  Sixty artists will participate at the Semi finals of Una Voce per San Marino national selection.

This is the second time that San Marino held a national final.  Over 1000 singers from 31 countries registered to participate in the San Marinese national selection.  According to RTV this is an increase of over 300 singers since their last update in 2022.

Una Voce per San Marino

Una Voce per San Marino will consist on five Semi-finals taking place between 18-20 February 2023.  The Semi-Finals will be broadcast on delay by SMRTV.  The Grand Final of Una Voce per San Marino will take place on February 25, 2023 at the Teatro Nuovo in Dogana.  A five member jury representing San Marino RTV (2), Segreteria di Stato (1) and  the production company (2) will chose the San Marinese representative.

Achille Lauro won the first edition of Una Voce per San Marino.  He represented San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCmX64N_sXM&ab_channel=EurovisionSongContest

Source: RTV

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news about San Marino in Eurovision!

San Marino: More than 1000 submissions for Una Voce per San Marino! | From which countries do the contestants come from?

The submissions window of Una Voce per San Marino, the national final of San Marino for Eurovision 2023, will be open for artists from around the world for a few more days, until January 20.

As we have previously said, despite their non-qualification in 2022, San Marino gets keeps making preparations for Eurovision 2023, in Liverpool. In detail, the selection process consists of the castings, four semi-finals, one second chance round and the Grand Final that will take place in February 25, 2023.

The countries from which the artists come from, were revealed through their Instagram account. The artists come from the countries below:

  • Albania
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America

As of now, more than 1000 songs have been submitted to the country’s national final.

Those interested have a few more days to submit their proposals through the contest’s official website.

The first winner of Una Voce per San Marino and San Marino’s representative in Eurovision 2022 was Achille Lauro with the song “Stripper“ but he didn’t mange to bring the country to the final for the third time in a row and the fourth time overall, ending up in 14th place of the second semi-final:

https://youtu.be/vCmX64N_sXM

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the participation of San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!